Across the nation, the annual NAIDOC are about to begin. A week of celebrations intended to recognise the history, culture of the Indigenous people of Australia and the Torres Islander peoples.
Beginning on the first Sunday of July and finishing on the second Sunday, it includes a broad variety of events ranging from concerts to small local arts and crafts displays and workshops were all Australians can learn a little more about the ways and practices of the first inhabitants of this land.
N.A.I.D.O.C. An acronym for “ National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee”, has a history that began through the actions of Indigenous activists, including William Cooper, Douglas Nicholls and Jack Pattern, who held a day of protest on January 26 1938, called the “Day of Mourning”. After gaining significant media attention, then Prime Minister Joseph Lyons to meet with the leaders involved. The delegation gave Lyons a manifesto calling for citizenship rights for Aboriginal people. A year later, William Cooper wrote to the National Missionary Council of Australia for an annual event.
Years later in 1975, what was then called N.A.D.O.C. the “National Aborigines Day Observance Committee” called for the event to be extended to an entire week and each year the event was to be given a different theme. Then in the early 90’s, the title was altered tin include the Torres Islander people.
Today NAIDOC week has evolved into a great variety of events with the support of all levels of government and many business and community organisations. Two examples are Blacktown City Council presenting the “Warami Mittigar” concert at Blacktown showground and Westfield’s at Liverpool in what their website describes as
“sensory play sessions exploring Australian animals, and drawing inspiration from local artists. We’ll create and decorate boomerangs and rock paintings.”
However similar events are across the country so if interested a quick google search in regards to what’s on in your area should provide all the details.
https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Events-and-activities/Blacktown-City-NAIDOC-Concert
https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Events-and-activities/NAIDOC-Events-2024
https://www.westfield.com.au/liverpool/event/1SMBd6gkK2GKWFDRKDYOHB/naidoc-week-events